超音波検査技術

Purpose: Global longitudinal strain (GLS) assessed using the two-dimensional (2D) speckle tracking method is considered to be an accurate and reproducible measurement method for assessing the LV contractility. However, the measurement variability across different ultrasonography machines has been discussed. This study aimed to determine whether the measurement variability among newer echocardiographic machines is lower than that reported in previous studies.

Subjects and Methods: We enrolled 34 healthy volunteers. Apical images were acquired using three types of latest ultrasonography machines at the Tokushima University Hospital. The GLS values were assessed and compared using the latest version of the vendor-specific software and one vendor-independent software packages (EchoInsight ver. 2.2.6.2230, Epsilon).

Results and Discussion: The upgraded vendor-specific software showed good correlation in GLS [GE vs. Philips (r＝0.678, p＜0.001, Bias 1.1%, 2SD ±2.9%), GE vs. Canon (r＝0.690, p＜0.001, Bias 0.4%, 2SD ±2.5%), Philips vs. Canon (r＝0.551, p＜0.001, Bias 1.5%, 2SD ±3.2%)]. The GLS measured using vendor-independent software provided greater degree of correlation than that with each software alone.

Conclusion: The measurement variability of GLS between devices was superior than that reported previously. Moreover, the GLS measured using the images acquired using each device with EchoInsight showed good inter-device correlation.